Serena Williams wins tennis match in tutu after catsuit ban

Aug 27, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Serena Williams of the USA hits to Magda Linette of Poland in a first round match on day one of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

After her head-turning catsuit was banned by French Open organisers last week, Serena Williams entered the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday in style, wearing a black tutu for her first US Open match against Magda Linette. Williams won the match 6-4 6-0 against the 68th-ranked Polish player.

Williams winning the game perhaps didn’t surprise a lot of people, but it was her outfit that made her the talk of town. She wore the black US$500 (AU$681) one-shoulder dress with tulle skirt and fishnets in court, much to the delight of her fans. The dress was designed by Louis Vuitton menswear artistic director Virgil Abloh for Nike.

Aug 27, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Serena Williams of the USA celebrates a winner against Magda Linette of Poland in a first round match on day one of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY SportsAug 27, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Magda Linette of Poland hits to Serena Williams of the USA in a first round match on day one of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

As much as the ensemble look great on her, it was the timing of her wearing it that had people cheering. It was reported that last week, her life-saving outfit at the French Open has been banned.

In May, Williams, 36, conquered the court in a “Wakanda-inspired” catsuit, referring to the “Black Panther” film, in a match against Czech Republic’s Kristyna Pliskova at the French Open. She won her first round as well.

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 29, 2018 Serena Williams of the U.S in action during her first round match against Czech Republic's Kristyna Pliskova Reuters/Christian Hartmann

However, French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli, while discussing a new dress code for next year’s tournament, has singled out Williams’ cat suit from the last game.

“It will no longer be accepted. One must respect the game and place,” he told Tennis Magazine, as quoted by the Associated Press.

The cat suit was designed to help prevent blood clots, which Williams had suffered from since giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian.

Although Giudicelli’s comments weren’t well received by fans, who argued that there was nothing disrespectful about a catsuit that wasn’t just for fashion, but for her health as well.

Williams wasn’t so bothered by the catsuit ban, though, telling reporters, “Everything’s fine, guys.” She said she has since found other methods in preventing blood clots.

Also, “When it comes to fashion, you don’t want to be a repeat offender,” she quipped.